That's what his boyfriend, Paul Terrell Henry, would have wanted. Henry, 41, was among the victims of the Pulse nightclub tragedy on June 12.

"He knew I had the potential for greater things,'' a heartbroken Hernandez said. "I had three years of college but didn't finish. He wanted the best for me, to succeed and to help me make something of myself.

"I am definitely going to do that for him. I am going to make something of myself.''

Hernandez said Henry, a St. Petersburg native, loved to dance and have fun. Henry enjoyed spending time at the Bear Den at Parliament House and excelled at pool.

He loved his family, including two children. His daughter, Alexia, recently graduated high school. He also had a son.

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A vigil put on by One Orlando United honored the lives of those 59 lives lost and 527 injured during a shooting at a concert in Las Vegas. A large gathering formed as a moment of silence for the Orlando united for Las Vegas vigil took place at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 3, 2017.(Aileen Perilla/Orlando Sentinel)

A vigil put on by One Orlando United honored the lives of those 59 lives lost and 527 injured during a shooting at a concert in Las Vegas. A large gathering formed as a moment of silence for the Orlando united for Las Vegas vigil took place at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 3, 2017.(Aileen Perilla/Orlando Sentinel)

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A vigil put on by One Orlando United honored the lives of those 59 lives lost and 527 injured during a shooting at a concert in Las Vegas. A large gathering formed as a moment of silence for the Orlando united for Las Vegas vigil took place at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 3, 2017.(Aileen Perilla/Orlando Sentinel)

A vigil put on by One Orlando United honored the lives of those 59 lives lost and 527 injured during a shooting at a concert in Las Vegas. A large gathering formed as a moment of silence for the Orlando united for Las Vegas vigil took place at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 3, 2017.(Aileen Perilla/Orlando Sentinel)

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Published June, 15, 2016: On June 12, 2016, a man opened fire inside Pulse nightclub in Orlando. These are the people who lost their lives.

Published June, 15, 2016: On June 12, 2016, a man opened fire inside Pulse nightclub in Orlando. These are the people who lost their lives.

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Snap! Downtown -- a gallery devoted to the art of photography -- is about to open an exhibition of images taken in the aftermath of Pulse, both in Orlando and around the world.

Snap! Downtown -- a gallery devoted to the art of photography -- is about to open an exhibition of images taken in the aftermath of Pulse, both in Orlando and around the world.

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The fund now stands at just over $29.5 million, with money to be divided among 299 families and survivors whose presence in the club has been verified by the FBI.

The fund now stands at just over $29.5 million, with money to be divided among 299 families and survivors whose presence in the club has been verified by the FBI.

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Mourners remember Eddie Justice, a victim of the Pulse nightclub shooting, as "full of life and energy."

Mourners remember Eddie Justice, a victim of the Pulse nightclub shooting, as "full of life and energy."

"I miss him. I love him,'' Hernandez said in an email. "I took care of him, and he took care of me. Such a loving spirit. I'll always have him in my heart.

"He kept many aspects of his life private from family. He felt that there was no need for them to know what he does in his life. His priority was to make sure his kids were taken care of.''

When asked what he will remember most about Henry, Hernandez had a simple response.

"His smile.''

V.T. Owens II, a pastor at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in Orlando, said on Facebook: "Paul Henry was a dear friend of mine for over 10 years. He was an accomplished musician, prolific preacher and ambitions spirit. I shall always cherish the many opportunities he gave me to share the gospel."

Bettye Edwards of Oviedo also appreciated Henry's religious spirit and said she and Henry started a church briefly.

Edwards said he was a wonderful musician who played the piano and organ and could sing. She said Henry never took a lesson.

"Paul was a go-getter,'' Edwards said. "He was always very busy, always trying to reach the next level.''

Danielle Biggers of Orlando said she worked with Henry as a sales representative at Orange Lake Resorts.

"He was the life of the call center,'' Biggers said. "He always would make sure he would say hello. He just was over the top and made everybody smile.''

A candlelight vigil honoring the memory of Henry was held June 23 in South Straub Park, St. Petersburg.